Yosemite Forum

Travelling to and visiting Yosemite National Park in Winter and most of Spring, when snow is on the ground. Includes visiting in winter, snow play, downhill and nordic skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and snow camping.

I am planning a solo trip to Yosemite for sometime in May or June of this year and wanted thoughts and ideas from those with experience in the park as I have never been there. My plan so far is to fly into S/F and rent either a car or small RV for a week. I am an experienced hiker/camper, but always in the Eastern states (so far). My main purpose is photography and day hikes, though I am also considering bringing the necessary equipment for wilderness camping. I am very interested knowing if it is better to go early in May rather than closer to or after Memorial Day as I have lots of freedom in choosing the dates I travel. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated. Also, as I have never been in any areas where bears can be a problem, I would like to know what the reality of bear activity is in the park.

Wilderness camping is limited, unless you want to snow camp (in which case along the Glacier Point Road, toward the south rim of the Valley is popular). You can backpack into Little Yosemite Valley, which still may have snow in May.

I would just reserve a campground in Yosemite Valley. All Valley campgrounds are open by May. You can hike to the waterfalls, and for more agressive hikes, hike up the Yosemite Falls Trail to the top of the falls, hike to Little Yosemite Valley, and to Glacier Point, all from the Valley.

The cables up Half Dome may or may not be up (usually they are installed by late May). If so, you can hike to the base of Half Dome and climb the cable ladder to the top.

Mariposa Grove at the south end of the Park has the largest group of Giant Sequoias in the park. Two smaller groves are near Crane Flat (Tuolumne and Merced Groves).

The Tioga Road usually opens sometime in late May or June, or sometimes early July. If it's open, it's worth your while to spend some time in Tuolumne Meadows.

Bears can be a real problem in Yosemite (uhhh...rangers will be quick to point out that it is a HUMAN problem). Be sure to follow the food storage requirements (i.e.never leave any food in your parked car, use the bear proof containers that are provided at each campsite) and you should be OK.

If you want to take pictures, the Panorama Trail would be a fine choice. It starts off the John Muir Trail, not far from Nevada Fall and leads to Glacier Point. The most-often used trail to Glacier Point from the Valley (the 4 Mile Trail) may not yet be open in May. If you decide to get there and back via the Panorama Trail this would be about 16 mile hike. Doable if you start early and are in decent shape.